The river Tay in Perthshire Scotland continued to catch spring salmon last week as water levels eased even further. Catches improved as the river dropped steadily and the weather continued to improve with some good fish landed including a
34 pounds fish from Ballathie. A reasonable run of spring/summer salmon continued on the river with over 100 registered as we really enter summer and there was the continued sign of some more bigger multi sea winter fish with more mid twenty pounds salmon landed. The catches on the lower river have eased as temperatures rise but there were continued signs of fish spreading up river as catches were maintained in the middle and Upper River giving renewed optimism for the coming week.
This past week saw water levels drop below 2’ most of the week due to better weather and improved conditions with spring salmon being registered from the river with others caught as well but not registered. Sea trout continued to appear as well in better numbers that was very encouraging. The fishing is supreme and the scenery is not bad either. Currently the Blue bells are out along the river with also numerous other wild flowers. Ospreys visit the river on a daily basis and you could see an Otter or a Kingfisher darting past while you are in mid cast! It is true what they say, “ a salmon is a bonus!”
Beat catches reported
(week ending 31st May)
SALMON & GRILSE: Stobhall 3, Ballathie 3, Cargill 1, Islamouth 16, Upper Islamouth and Meikleour 2, Kercock 1, Murthly 1 25, Glendelvine 2, Murthly 2 13, Newtyle 7, Dunkeld House 5, Dalmarnock 1, Dalguise 3, Lower Kinnaird 7, Upper Kinnaird 4, Findynate 1, Farleyer Upper 2, Portnacraig Pitlochry 5, Loch Faskally 6.
Total: 107 Largest: Ballathie 34lbs
SEA TROUT: Lower Redgorton 2, Fishponds 1, Benchil 2, Ballathie 2, Cargill 1, Upper Islamouth and Meikleour 1, Murthly 1 9, Murthly 2 5, Newtyle 5.
Total: 28 Largest: Upper Islamouth and Meikleour 4lbs
Lower Tay.
The summer fishing is well underway on the lower river for the coming weeks as most of the boats are off the river below Stanley for May and June but reasonably priced bank fishing is still available. Sea Trout have been an added bonus with more caught this past week on the lower river yet again and a sign of them spreading into the middle river. Salmon catches below Stanley have been limited but sea trout continue to be caught in reasonable numbers.
Stobhall enjoyed some success last week with Richard McDougalls party having a good day. Two salmon were lost but Jordan landed a 7.5 pounds fish from the boat. Ballathie also did reasonably well but were blessed with the catch of the week, a superb 34 pounds salmon. The salmon was landed by Fred Harris, a mere 80 year old casting a floating devon out the boat. The fish measured 44 inches long and was weighed in a weigh net prior to release by ghillie George McInnes. Superb stuff!
Islamouth had a much better week with 16 fish on the fly with Lee Philpott being one of the successful rods.
Middle Tay.
The catches further upstream have improved this past week as conditions have eased and the water temperature has climbed up a bit. Over the weeks to come this will hopefully improve as the salmon run freely up the river with water levels easing. Kercock had 1 for their week but the Murthly and Glendelvine beats accounted for 40 including 10 fish from Murthly 1 to a party from Ayrshire on Monday.
Colin McLean, a gamekeeper at Bargany Estate in South Ayrshire hooked 8 fish and landed 5 for his day fly fishing sun ray shadows.
What a superb day by anyone’s standards. During the week this area of the river fished very well.
Newtyle had a consistent week catching on most days. Salmon were caught on fly and spinner with David Porter landing 2 fish on fly in a day up to 17 pounds, John Kelly caught a fish of 17 pounds in the Cotter, Alum Williams caught a 12 pounds fish on a Salmo and George Slater and Jon Wood both landed good fish on spinners.
Dunkeld House had a reasonable week with Peter Sproston catching 2 fish for his day on fly and spinner up to 17 pounds. Later in the week he landed another at 13 pounds and Brian Peacock caught an 11 pounds fish on a Collie Dog in the Rock Pool.
Up at Dalmarnock Sam Datta landed an 8 pounds fish on a floating devon.
On Dalguise John Herhalt caught a 6 pounds fish on the fly and Kenny Tragham caught a 12 pounds fish on a Devon from the Bridge Pool Bay. Lower Kinnaird had a much better week with 7 fish landed and Upper Kinnaird faired better as well.
Upper Tay.
This area is fishing steadily and seeing fish with Farleyer and Findynate beats picking up 3 fish last week.
Tummel.
It has been much quieter on the Tummel again this past week with odd catches but fish have been running through Pitlochry Dam with the count up to around 1500. 5 fish were caught last week on Portnacraig up to 12 pounds on fly and spinner that were hard earned.
Loch Faskally landed 6 for the week, which included an 8 pounds salmon for Sam Datta on a Pink and Pearly Tomic. The beats below have been catching as well but they do not register their fish on fishpal unfortunately to see the true picture.
Isla & Ericht.
Salmon are now freely running the Isla with rising water temperatures and nosing up into the Ericht however nothing was reported last week that seems strange.
The Tay Ghillies Association has launched a FISH OF THE MONTH AWARD to encourage good catch and release practice on the Tay. Each month the winner will receive 2 personalised crystal Whisky glasses engraved with details of the catch and they will automatically be entered into the fish of the year competition for a Stylish Crystal Engraved Decanter.
• Catch a good Tay Salmon
• Weigh it carefully and photograph it with as little handling as possible.
• Verify with Ghillie
• Safely return the fish with a minimum of handling
• TGA Committee decision is final
Send entries with a photo and verification details to:-
Mike Hay, Sec of Tay Ghillies Assoc.
Mobile: 07762 464407
Email: tayhayurg@gmail.com
The Spring Salmon fishing has been good so far despite the big water levels early in the season with some notable catches, let us hope this is a taste of what is to come for the Summer and Autumn as the weather remains reasonable to maintain it all.
If you have any news or pictures of catches or experiences on the Tay and you would like to share them please email me on robert.salmonfishing@googlemail.com to be included in the reports.
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